Ukraine Shares US-Led 20-Point Ceasefire Proposal with Russia, Territory Remains Key Sticking Point
In what is being described as a significant diplomatic development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday revealed details of a fresh US-led peace framework aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war, which has been raging since February 2022. While negotiators from Kyiv and Washington have reportedly reached consensus on several issues, territorial arrangements remain unresolved.
Context: A Fresh Push for Peace
According to reports by the Associated Press and AFP, the proposed framework has been agreed upon by Ukrainian and US negotiators and forwarded to Moscow for consideration. Zelensky did not release the full draft publicly but outlined its contents during a briefing with journalists in Kyiv.
The plan is expected to be supplemented by additional bilateral agreements between the United States and Ukraine, particularly covering security guarantees and post-war reconstruction.
Key Highlights of the 20-Point Proposal
At the heart of the proposal is a reaffirmation of Ukraine’s sovereignty, alongside a full and unconditional non-aggression pact between Kyiv and Moscow. A space-based monitoring mechanism is proposed to oversee the line of contact and detect ceasefire violations early.
Ukraine would retain a peacetime military strength of 800,000 troops and receive security guarantees comparable to NATO’s Article 5, backed by the US, NATO, and European partners. These guarantees would automatically activate if Russia attacks Ukraine again, triggering the reinstatement of global sanctions.
The plan also outlines Ukraine’s future European Union membership, short-term privileged access to European markets, and a comprehensive global development and reconstruction package, including the creation of a Ukraine Development Fund and a $200 billion investment and grants fund supported by the US and European countries.
Territory and Military Deployments
One of the most sensitive elements involves territorial arrangements. The proposal de facto recognises the current line of troop deployment in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson as the line of contact, while requiring Russia to withdraw troops from Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv regions.
Future territorial changes would not be allowed through force, and international monitoring forces could be deployed along the contact line, subject to Ukrainian parliamentary approval or a referendum.
Humanitarian and Political Measures
The framework calls for an all-for-all exchange of prisoners of war, the return of detained civilians and children, and the establishment of a humanitarian committee to address civilian suffering. Ukraine would also conduct elections as soon as possible after the agreement is signed.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant would be jointly operated by Ukraine, the US, and Russia under the proposal.
Enforcement and Ceasefire
The agreement would be legally binding and overseen by a Peace Council chaired by US President Donald Trump, with participation from Ukraine, Russia, NATO, Europe, and the United States. A full ceasefire would come into effect immediately once all parties sign the agreement, with sanctions imposed for violations.
Russia and the US Respond
Reuters reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been briefed on the proposal following contacts with Trump’s envoys and that Moscow is now formulating its position. Trump, who has repeatedly claimed credit for brokering peace in major global conflicts, has acknowledged the deep hostility between Putin and Zelensky, calling the negotiations particularly challenging.
Conclusion
While the proposed framework marks one of the most detailed diplomatic efforts since the war began, the unresolved territorial question remains the biggest hurdle. Moscow’s response will determine whether this initiative leads to a ceasefire or joins previous stalled peace attempts.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople
The US-led proposal represents a high-stakes attempt to translate battlefield exhaustion into diplomatic resolution. While its breadth signals serious intent, peace will hinge on whether competing claims over territory can be reconciled without reigniting conflict. The coming response from Moscow will be crucial in shaping the future of Europe’s most devastating war in decades.